SAXTON, Christopher.
[The first printed map of the county of Devon]Devoniae Comitat, Rerumquae omnium in eodem memorabilium recens, vers pticularisq. Descriptio.London, 1575-c.1579. Original colour lightly refreshed. 400 x 450mm. Narrow top margin, minor repairs, laid on linen.A rare example of the first published state of Saxton's map of Devon, engraved in 1575 by Remigius Hogenberg (brother of the more famous Frans Hogenberg) for Saxton's county atlas of 1579. The arms above the title are those of Thomas Seckford (1515 -87), who commissioned Saxton's survey, with those of Queen Elizabeth I top left. On the map towns, rivers and hills are marked, but it was not until nearly a century later that roads were routinely shown on county maps. Saxton's copperplates had a long career: after being eclipsed by John Speed's atlas of 1611, the plates were re-engraved and re-issued in 1642 by William Web. Although most of the other plates were still being printed as late as 1770, the Devon plate had either been lost or destroyed by the 1689 Lea edition.BATTEN: 1.
[Ref: 15840]
£3,800.00
($5,043 • €4,385 rates)

SAXTON, Christopher.
[The first printed map of Westmorland and Cumberland]Westmorlandiae et Cumberlandiae Comit. nova vera et Elaborata descriptio. Anº Dni 1576.London, 1576-c.1579. Original colour lightly refreshed. 395 x 450mm. A few nicks in the margins.The first published state of Saxton's map of both Cumberland and Westmorland, engraved in 1576 by Augustine Ryther for Saxton's county atlas of 1579. Top right are the arms of Queen Elizabeth, with the arms of Thomas Seckford (1515 -87, who commissioned Saxton's survey) underneath, balanced with the strapwork title cartouche and a pair of compasses on the scale on the left. On the map towns, rivers and hills are marked, but it was not until nearly a century later that roads were routinely shown on county maps. Saxton's copperplates had a long career: after being eclipsed by John Speed's atlas of 1611, the plates were re-engraved and re-issued in 1642 by William Web; most of the other plates were still being printed as late as 1770.
[Ref: 17807]
£3,200.00
($4,246 • €3,693 rates)

BRAUN, Georg & HOGENBERG, Frans.
[A 16th century plan of Norwich]Nordovicum, Angliae Civitas.Cologne, 1581-. Old colour. 325 x 440mm.The earliest printed map of Norwich, a 'map-view' with the major buildings, in this case the colleges, shown in profile, with no consideration for perspective. Published in the 'Civitates Orbis Terrarum', the first series of printed town plans.KOEMAN: B&H 2.
[Ref: 16817]
£700.00
($929 • €808 rates)

BRAUN, Georg & HOGENBERG, Frans.
[Early bird's eye view of Canterbury]Cantuarbury. Cantuaria urbs Angliae celebris; Archiepiscopati sede commendata.Cologne, 1588-, German text edition. Fine original colour. 290 x 430mm. A couple of repaired tears at the bottom left and bottom margin, glue residue on verso of centerfold, overall a good example.A fine 'map-view' of Canterbury with the major buildings shown in profile, with no consideration for perspective. Published in Volume IV of the 'Civitates Orbis Terrarum', the first series of printed town plans.KOEMAN: B&H 4.
[Ref: 17298]
£950.00
($1,261 • €1,096 rates)

DRAYTON, Michael.
[Map of Middlesex and Hertfordshire from Drayton's fantastical 'Poly-Olbion'][Midle Sex; Hartford Shyre.]London, 1612. 255 x 335mm.A very decorative map of Middlesex and Hertfordshire, ignoring political boundaries and instead focusing on natural features, with hills and rivers populated by allegorical figures. Only major towns are marked, including Hartford, St Albans, Brent, Enfield, Highgate, Hampstead and the River Colne. 'Watling Street, The first great way of England' is also marked. Michael Drayton (1563-1631), a prominent poet, is believed to have started work on his 'Poly-Olbion' in 1598. This epic topographical poem, divided into thirty songs written in alexandrine couplets, ran to nearly 15,000 lines of verse. Each song described one, two or three counties, describing their topography, traditions and histories. The First Part was published in 1612, with eighteen maps probably engraved by William Hole (who signed the frontispiece). Drayton had been a favourite of Queen Elizabeth's court, but was not so popular with James I. Perhaps to rectify this the 'Poly-Olbion' was dedicated to Henry, Prince of Wales, but Henry died in 1612, the year of publication. The work did not sell well, and it was not until 1622 that Drayton could find a publisher for the second part, which contained ten more maps. Drayton intended to compose a further part to cover Scotland, but no part of this work is known to have survived. Despite these setbacks Drayton was still prominent enough to be buried in Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey when he died in 1631. It was only posthumously that the Poly-Olbion became a literary classic.
[Ref: 14043]
£600.00
($796 • €692 rates)

DRAYTON, Michael.
[Map of Surrey and Sussex from Drayton's fantastical 'Poly-Olbion'][Svrrey; London; Svssex.]London, 1612. 255 x 330mm.A very decorative map of Surrey and Sussex, ignoring political boundaries and instead focusing on natural features, with hills and rivers populated by allegorical figures. Major towns are marked. London; Westminster; Hampton Court; Richmond; Arundel; Chichester; Hastings and part of the Weald are shown as well as the Rivers Thames, Arun, Rother and Mole. Michael Drayton (1563-1631), a prominent poet, is believed to have started work on his 'Poly-Olbion' in 1598. This epic topographical poem, divided into thirty songs written in alexandrine couplets, ran to nearly 15,000 lines of verse. Each song described one, two or three counties, describing their topography, traditions and histories. The First Part was published in 1612, with eighteen maps probably engraved by William Hole (who signed the frontispiece). Drayton had been a favourite of Queen Elizabeth's court, but was not so popular with James I. Perhaps to rectify this the 'Poly-Olbion' was dedicated to Henry, Prince of Wales, but Henry died in 1612, the year of publication. The work did not sell well, and it was not until 1622 that Drayton could find a publisher for the second part, which contained ten more maps. Drayton intended to compose a further part to cover Scotland, but no part of this work is known to have survived. Despite these setbacks Drayton was still prominent enough to be buried in Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey when he died in 1631. It was only posthumously that the Poly-Olbion became a literary classic.
[Ref: 14044]
£600.00
($796 • €692 rates)

DRAYTON, Michael.
[Map of Cheshire from Drayton's fantastical 'Poly-Olbion'][Ches Shyre.]London, 1612. 255 x 330mm.A very decorative map of Cheshire, ignoring political boundaries and instead focusing on natural features, with hills and rivers populated by allegorical figures. Only major towns are marked including Chester, Nantwich and Nantwich. Part of the Wirrall and the River Mersey are also shown. Michael Drayton (1563-1631), a prominent poet, is believed to have started work on his 'Poly-Olbion' in 1598. This epic topographical poem, divided into thirty songs written in alexandrine couplets, ran to nearly 15,000 lines of verse. Each song described one, two or three counties, describing their topography, traditions and histories. The First Part was published in 1612, with eighteen maps probably engraved by William Hole (who signed the frontispiece). Drayton had been a favourite of Queen Elizabeth's court, but was not so popular with James I. Perhaps to rectify this the 'Poly-Olbion' was dedicated to Henry, Prince of Wales, but Henry died in 1612, the year of publication. The work did not sell well, and it was not until 1622 that Drayton could find a publisher for the second part, which contained ten more maps. Drayton intended to compose a further part to cover Scotland, but no part of this work is known to have survived. Despite these setbacks Drayton was still prominent enough to be buried in Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey when he died in 1631. It was only posthumously that the Poly-Olbion became a literary classic.
[Ref: 14046]
£400.00
($531 • €462 rates)

DRAYTON, Michael.
[Map of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire from Drayton's fantastical 'Poly-Olbion'][Oxford Shyre; Bvckingham Shyre; Barck Shyre.]London, 1612. 255 x 330mm.A very decorative map of Oxfordshire; Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, ignoring political boundaries and instead focusing on natural features, with hills and rivers populated by allegorical figures. Only major towns are marked. The Chilterns; The Vale of White Horse; Windrush; Oxford and Thame are all shown. Michael Drayton (1563-1631), a prominent poet, is believed to have started work on his 'Poly-Olbion' in 1598. This epic topographical poem, divided into thirty songs written in alexandrine couplets, ran to nearly 15,000 lines of verse. Each song described one, two or three counties, describing their topography, traditions and histories. The First Part was published in 1612, with eighteen maps probably engraved by William Hole (who signed the frontispiece). Drayton had been a favourite of Queen Elizabeth's court, but was not so popular with James I. Perhaps to rectify this the 'Poly-Olbion' was dedicated to Henry, Prince of Wales, but Henry died in 1612, the year of publication. The work did not sell well, and it was not until 1622 that Drayton could find a publisher for the second part, which contained ten more maps. Drayton intended to compose a further part to cover Scotland, but no part of this work is known to have survived. Despite these setbacks Drayton was still prominent enough to be buried in Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey when he died in 1631. It was only posthumously that the Poly-Olbion became a literary classic.
[Ref: 14048]
£480.00
($637 • €554 rates)

SPEED, John.
[The rare Latin-text edition of Speed's map of Huntingdonshire]Huntingdon both Shire and Shire Towne with the Ancient Citie Ely DescribedLondon, John Sudbury & George Humble, 1616, Latin text edition. 380 x 510mm. An early impression with good margins.Engraved by Jodocus Hondius, this is one of the most decorative maps of the county, with an inset plan of Ely. This example comes from the only non-English edition of Speed's Theatre, produced for the Continental market. Its lack of success makes it comparatively scarce: it was only after 1918 that the British Museum obtained a complete Latin volume.CHUBB: xxiv; SKELTON 11.
[Ref: 11637]
£600.00
($796 • €692 rates)